News Staff Wharton County’s 2023 property evaluations reveal a boost in values from local economic growth and rising home values. School districts saw 12-14% increases. El Campo ISD rose by $289 million, Louise ISD by $47 million, and other districts also gained. El Campo and Wharton cities thrived, thanks to new construction. County-wide, entities like Wharton County … Read more
A new Texas law will penalize students bringing vapes or e-cigarettes to school, with automatic alternative school time. Vaping on campuses is a concern for educators, and House Bill 114 mandates students be placed in a disciplinary program for e-cigarette possession, starting September 1st. Compliance will affect the increase in alternative school placements. El Campo … Read more
In the wake of a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of Melinda “Myndi” Bullock and Mike “Muncie” Moncebias, the Boling community rallied together for support. They held a barbecue fundraiser at the Boling Christian Church, with a long line of supporters waiting for plates of food. Over 300 tickets were sold for pick-up, … Read more
Matagorda County, Texas declared a unique disaster due to shrimp dumping. Local shrimpers struggle against foreign imports, leading to slashed prices. Shrimpers like David Aparicio aim to take action and seek support from Southern Shrimp Alliance. The economic crisis affects shrimping industry and community. Despite past support, H-E-B Grocery now buys imported shrimp, disappointing locals. … Read more
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls recently spoke at Bay City Civic Center about his progress in representing newly added Matagorda County in his district. He focuses on criminal justice reform, transportation, energy policies, immigration, and more. He represents Fort Bend County and parts of other counties. Nehls champions legislation, like the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly” act … Read more
A 77-year-old El Campo drug dealer evaded a life prison sentence for seven days but was caught and returned to jail. Lawrence Herald faced a sentence for selling Fentanyl tablets from his home. He skipped his trial, leading to a warrant for his arrest. Despite being parole-eligible, he might spend the rest of his life … Read more
A quick update from Bay City Police. They’re on the hunt for a suspect who swiped stuff from the 2400 block of Hedgerose on the night of August 14th. Check out the snapshot or video on their social media page to see if you recognize this mystery person. Detective Morales is your go-to at the … Read more
The Matagorda County Emergency Management Office is closely watching the worsening drought situation. Residents should be extra cautious due to hazardous conditions. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, as of Tuesday, is at 663 out of 800, indicating very dry conditions. High heat, dry vegetation, low humidity, and wind are fueling wildfires. A Burn Ban is in … Read more
Join the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners on Friday for an online talk about small ornamental trees ideal for tight spaces in both front and back yards. This session, “Trees for Small Landscapes,” is part of the “Landscape Success” program. The 90-minute class starts at 2 p.m., it’s free, but registration is necessary. Presented by … Read more
On ESPN starting today, Needville kids are taking part in the Little League World Series. Don’t worry if you see them dancing instead of warming up – it’s their way to ease tension before games. The young team loves to dance, thanks to a tradition started by coach Joey Benge. The players, including Heath Filipp … Read more